Galaxy wins Reserve League SuperClasico 1-0

CARSON, Calif. — With the third and final installment of the SuperClasico on tap for this weekend, the LA Galaxy kicked off the week with a hard fought 1-0 win over Chivas USA on Tuesday afternoon at The Home Depot Center in MLS Reserve League play. Jack McBean scored the game’s only goal in the 79th minute, helping LA extend their unbeaten streak to five games and improve to 4-1-1 on the season.

Looking to make up for their only loss of the season in the Reserve League, a 4-2 defeat to Chivas USA all the way back on April 2, the Galaxy controlled the game, creating a number of close chances in the first half and the early going of the second half, but were unable to find a breakthrough. That’s until its youthful attack, led by second half substitutions McBean and Raul Mendiola, combined to score the game-winning goal with just 11 minutes remaining.

Galaxy postgame reaction

On the goal, Mendiola, who entered the game in the 72nd minute for Kenney Walker, cut through the center of the Chivas USA defense and dribbled in on goal before taking a shot that was partially blocked by goalkeeper Tim Melia. The rebound popped up over Melia and toward the goal line, with McBean reacting first and tapping in the eventual game-winner. The goal was the second in as many Reserve League games for McBean, with each tally accounting for the game-winning goal.

In the final 10 minutes, Chivas USA pushed forward for an equalizer and came close on a pair of occasions. Just three minutes after LA went ahead, Jorge Villafana curled a left footed shot that had LA’s Brian Rowe beat, but flew over the crossbar. Chivas once again came within inches of goal in the 87th minute from a corner kick. Jose Erick Correa met the ball at the back post, but could not hit the net from point blank range.

The Galaxy had the best opportunity to go ahead in the opening 45 minutes when Hector Jimenez was dragged down on the right side of the penalty box after playing the ball past his man, leading referee Reed Christy to point to the spot. Mike Magee stepped up to take the penalty and after stutter-stepping, pulled his shot wide left of the goal, keeping the game tied at 0-0.

Brian Perk, who started and played the opening 45 minutes in goal for LA before being replaced by Brian Rowe, made two diving saves late in the first half to keep the game scoreless going into the break. He also got some help from the crossbar, with Paolo Cardozo, who was traded from the Galaxy to Chivas USA earlier this season, striking the bar with a 40th minute freekick while Nelson Akwari was unable head in the rebound.

The young LA forwards tested the Chivas USA backline throughout the game with McBean, who came in at halftime for Mike Magee, and Jose Villarreal doing most of the damage. Villarreal battled with Akwari throughout the game, beating him twice in the first 20 minutes to create chances for the Galaxy. The two Homegrown Players combined for two chances in the first five minutes of the second half, with McBean laying the ball off to Villarreal who blasted a low shot for the right corner that was blocked. Moments later Villarreal’s cross found McBean, but he was defended well enough that he could not get a clear shot on goal.

On the hour mark, a good build-up play found Jimenez on the right wing. Jimenez centered the ball to Rafael Garcia whose one-time shot was saved.

LA veteran Todd Dunivant, who has not played since injuring his calf in Vancouver on July 18, played all 90 minutes at left back. Wearing the captain’s armband, Dunivant received LA’s only yellow card in the 84th minute when he pulled down Cardozo, who was trying to go around him down the sideline.